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JST CARD GUIDE 
And HISTORy Of Old 
SAINT AUGUSTINE 




Old in years, in spirit new 
St. Augustine is calling you 



POST CARD GUIDE 

And HISTORy Of Olo 

SAINT AUGUSTINE 




FORTY-SIXTH 
THOUSAND 



COPVRrCHT. 1912 

By H.J. US(Nf) 

SAINT AUGUSTCNE 
FLORIDA 






1. FORT MARION (Formerly San Marco)— Built of coquina. Finished 

1756. 

2. CITY GATES— Built about 1620. All that is left of old city wall. 

3. CATHEDRAL— Spanish built in 1791. Burned 1887. Old walls remain. 

4. OLD HOUSE — Corner Marine and St. Francis streets. 

5. PONCE DE LEON — Finest tourist hotel in world. 

6. PLAZA — Slave Market at east end. 

7. ALCAZAR • — Casino and Swimming Pool in south end. 

8. TREASURY STREET— Narrowest street. 

9. CITY BUILDING — Corner St. George and Hypolita streets. 

10. BARRACKS — State Arsenal. 

11. DEPOT— Florida East Coast Railway. 

12. MEMORIAL CHURCH — Corner Valencia and Sevilla streets. 

13. GRACE M. E. CHURCH — Corner Carrera and Cordova streets. 

14. BAPTIST CHURCH — Corner Carrera and Sevilla streets. 



Florida discovered by Ponce de Leon, 1513. St. Augustine settled by 
Pedro Menendez, 1565. 

*Usina's Book and Souvenir Store, "The Busy Corner" (Headquarters 
for the Guide) — Corner St. George street and Cathedral place. 



Wo tije ^igtjWeer 

IT is not our purpose in publishing this guide 
to try to do something better than the pub- 
lishers of other excellent guides already on the 
market, but the need is evident for an authen- 
tic guide to the principal points of interest in 
and around historic old St. Augustine which can 
be carried by the sightseer without inconven- 
ience. The Post Card Guide aims to give in a 
simple, direct way the more important dates and 
information connected with the Ancient City. 
We are indebted to the many excellent histories 
and guides already published and to some of the 
older residents and the Historical Society for 
their aid in helping gather the information here- 
in, and here express our thanks and appreciation. 

The Publishers. 



^t. Augustine ilistorp 

'^^^'^^BOUT four centuries ago Juan Ponce, Knight of Leon, 

/ ■ % braving the dangers of unknown waters and terrifying 

^m^ ^^ myths of "the land of the Bimini," set sail in a frail 

little high-pooped vessel of the sixteenth century in 

search of the fabled "Fountain of Youth." 

On March 27th (Easter Sunday), 1513, the little caravels of the 
Spanish knight were brought to at a point a short distance north of 
the site of St. Augustine, and here, in the balmy breezes of a perfect 
spring day, Juan Ponce unfurled the red and yellow banner of Ferdi- 
nand, in whose name he took possession of the sun-kissed "Land of 
Flowers." 

History and stories tell us of how the Knight of Leon returned 
to his sovereign. King Ferdinand, reporting the new acquisition to 
Spain and repeating the stories of wonderful treasures of gold and 
precious stones and the miraculous Fountain of Youth, in whose 
waters one had but to bathe to be blessed with eternal life. 

So enthused was the brave knight with what he had seen and 
what he had heard of the beauties and riches of this new-found land 
that he set sail a second time, and landed in 15^1 on the shining 
beaches of the fair land of eternal youth. 

Legend and myth from that time are rich in romantic recitals of 
the vain hunt for the gold and riches and the wonderful fountain 
which was to bring to each and every one freedom from old age. 

ROMANCE GIVES WAY TO PRACTICALITY 

In 1565 Pedro Menendez anchored in the Matanzas, named by 
the French the previous year, the River of Dolphins. Menendez, 
evidently of a less romantic turn than the "Knight of the Lion," at 
once landed and actively began preparations for the founding of a 
city to be called St. Augustine, in honor of the day of his landing, 
August 28th, a feast day in the Roman Catholic Church. 

Surrounded by a vast wilderness, and subjected to many dan- 

6 



gers, real and fancied, Menendez at once began work on fortifications. 
Fort San Juan de Pinos was built of palmetto and pine logs and sand 
and the Spanish government furnished several guns for it. 

Much missionary work was also being done among the Indians, 
who worshipped the sun and who felt sure that the strange white- 
winged ships came straight from their Sun-god. Those Indians who 
accepted the new religion and became friendly were of much assist- 
ance to the little band of Spaniards and aided greatly in extending 
the fortifications to surround the city, Menendez, the founder of St. 
Augustine, died nine or ten years later. 

It was in 1580 that coquina (Spanish, signifying shellfish), a shell 
formation, was discovered on Anastasia Island. Recognizing the value 
of this material for building purposes, all available labor was enlisted 
in bringing it to the site of the present Fort Marion. However, it is 
sometime before we have any record of work on the fort as it now 
stands for, in 1656, the governor wrote that he found this castle (mean- 
ing the fort) in a tumble-down condition on account of its being made 
of wood. 

St. Augustine's fortifications for the next two centuries proved in- 
vulnerable and authentic history recounts many sieges of the little 
Spanish village and many attacks by unfriendly Indians. 

ATTACKS ON ST. AUGUSTINE 

In 1586 Sir Francis Drake landed on Anastasia Island, and cross- 
ing the Matanzas, sacked and burned the town, securing about two 
thousand pounds sterling from the fort which had been sent from 
Spain to pay the soldiers. 

In 1665 John Davis, a buccaneer, burned St. Augustine, but he 
did not secure much booty an old writer tells us, for the very good 
reason that there was none for him to get. 

In 1702 the English, under Governor Moore, of South Carolina, 
for three months besieged the fort, then named "San Marco," but, 
tiring of the fruitless effort, set fire to the town and retired. 

In 1727 Colonel Palmer, also of South Carolina, with a force of 
three hundred men raided the country surrounding St. Augustine, but 
was unable to gain entry to the city. The city gates are mentioned 
in the historian's account of this raid as being too strong for the 
attacking forces. 



In 1740 Governor Oglethorpe, of Georgia, attempted to accom- 
plish what Governor Moore failed to do in 1702, and from May 24th 
to July 9th bombarded the fort, but finally retired to Georgia, with- 
out being able to gain entrance to the town. 

In 1743 Oglethorpe again attacked St. Augustine, and with his 
Indian allies, advanced to the very walls of the fort and succeeded in 
killing or capturing all on the outside of the fortifications. 

In 1812 a number of Americans under General John Mcintosh 
attacked and captured Fernandina and Fort Moosa, on North Beach 
point, but were compelled by the Spaniards to evacuate. 

UNDER THREE FLAGS 

In 1762 Florida was ceded to Great Britain in exchange for Cuba. 
The British occupancy lasted twenty-two years and was marked by 
peace and prosperity. Public works were pushed forward, agricul- 
ture was engaged in and the community flourished. Florida indigo 
and sugar cane brought high prices in the London markets and were 
exported in large quantities. In 1770 fifty schooners and several 
square-rigged vessels entered the port. During the Revolutionary 
War Florida remained loyal to the British crown. 

In 1784 Florida was re-ceded to Spain in exchange for the Ba- 
hama Islands and nearly all the subjects of Great Britain left the 
country. 

The Spanish occupied Florida until July 12, 1821, when the red 
and yellow banner of Spain gave way to the Stars and Stripes under 
a treaty of cession. 

So from a land of mythical riches and fountains of eternal youth 
St. Augustine has come down through four centuries of romance, 
strife, poverty and prosperity to the quaint, picturesque city of min- 
gled modern and medieval structures; Spanish and Moorish architec- 
ture proudly commemorating the days of the dignity and glory of the 
rule of old Madrid, while no less pretentious are the up-to-date busi- 
ness blocks, theatres, churches and schools. 

And the modern St. Augustine basks in the same brilliant sun- 
light, and reposes under the same luminous moon as when Ponce de 
Leon four centuries ago became enchanted with the "Land of Flowers," 
and, vainly searching for the fabled "Fountain of Youth," wandered 
to his death 'neath the silent, gray drapery of the hanging moss. 



tirtje Citp i^ates! anti ^t. ^tovQe Street 

All that remains of the northern line of defense is the masonry of 
the City Gates at the end of St. George street. These gates were begun 
about 1743. They bear a bronze tablet dedicated by the D. A. R. 

The masonry must have at one time appeared towering and 
massive as the pillars are about thirty feet high. The city has, 
however, long since outgrown the narrow confines marked by this 
line of fortifications, and the lofty and substantial buildings of mod- 
ern St. Augustine make the City Gates appear too small and weak 
to have ever been classed as a fortification. 




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This line of defense consisted of a moat or deep ditch in front 
of a palisade and extended from the fort to the San Sebastian river, 
with bastions and sentry boxes at short intervals. 

At the firing of the sunset gun the gate was closed, the draw- 
bridge raised, guards were stationed in the sentry boxes inside the 
gate and the late comer, no matter whether friend or foe, had to 
"camp out" until morning. 



The City Gates mark the northern end of St. George street and the 
beginning of San Marco avenue. St. George street is one of the older 
streets of the city but is still among the main thoroughfares. It is 
made conspicuous by the many buildings with overhanging balconies, 
remnants of old-world architecture, and which are found in all the 
older streets of St. Augustine. St. George street is a very narrow 
thoroughfare, which is also an old-world idea in city building. 




Another point of interest is at the south end of Anastasia Island 
where Menendez massacred Ribault's men a few days after his re- 
turn from the destruction of Fort Caroline. The exact site of the 
massacre is unknown. The inroads of the sea have washed away 
all evidences of the conflict. 



Jfort iHarion 

At the northern extremity of the old town Menendez in 1565 
commenced a fort of wood, octagon in shape, having the walls filled 
with earth. The entrenchments were built with fascines also filled 



with earth, faced with logs of wood. This fort Menendez named 
"San Juan de Pinos." It was garrisoned with two hundred men and 
mounted fourteen cannon. 

Fort Marion was begun before the close of the 17th century. 
It is the only example of medieval fortification on this continent and 
was built from plans of a famous French engineer, and is a superb 
example of the art of military engineering as developed at that time. 
This massive structure of coquina covers, with its surrounding reser- 
vation, more than twenty acres. Surrounding the fort on its three 
land sides are an extensive mound or hill called the glacis. On the 
southeast side a bridge (formerly a drawbridge) leads across a part 
of the moat, to the barbican, which is a fortification surrounded by 
the moat, directly in front of the sally-port, the entrance to the fort 
proper, which it is intended to protect. In the wall of the stairway 
of the barbican is carved the Arms of Spain. A second bridge (part 
of which was originally a drawbridge) leads from the barbican across 
the moat to the sally-port. This was protected by a heavy barred 
door called the portcullis. 

On the outer wall, over the portcullis, is a chiseled stone bear- 
ing the Arms of Spain, a globe and cross above, a Maltese cross and 
lamb below, together with this inscription, in Spanish: "Don Fer- 
dinand \T, being King of Spain, and the Field Marshal D. Alonzo 
Fernando Hereda being Governor and Captain-General of this place, 
San Augustine of Florida and its province, this fort was finished in 
the year 1756. The works were directed by the Captain-Engineer, 
Don Pedro de Brozas and Garay." 

The arch under the stairway at the east of the court is con- 
sidered one of the finest Moorish arches in the New World. This 
stairway was originally an incline for hauling artillery up to the 
terreplein. 

The entrance opens upon a large, square court. On the north 
side of this court is a chamber originally used for a chapel. At the 
northeast corner is the famous dungeon, around which have been 
woven mythical tales of the finding of human bones, a rusty chain 
and staple in the wall, a gold ring on one skeleton's finger, an iron 
cage and instruments of torture. This dungeon probably never 
served any more exciting purpose than a powder magazine. 

Mr. W. F. Brown has succeeded his father, Sergt. G. M. Brown, U. 
S. A., deceased, as custodian of the old fort, which is open to visitors daily. 

10 



)panis!i) Coat of ^vmi 




The Spanish Coat of Arms is in 
the form of a shield surmounted by 
a crown and surrounded by a bor- 
der of flintstones and flaming gold. 
From this border, at the bottom, 
depends a lamb. The shield prop- 
er is divided into four parts, two 
containing the lion rampant and 
the others containing castles. 

The crown at the top of course 
is significant of power. The flint- 
stones and flames of gold are em- 
blematic of the spirit of the nation. 
The Maltese cross and lamb rep- 
resent the most illustrious order of 
Spanish knighthood, the Golden 
Fleece. The lion rampant is the 
heraldic emblem of Leon, which so 
long withstood the Moors. The 
castle, arms of Castile (castle), be- 
ing placed on the shield with the 

arms of Leon signify the union of the two kingdoms by the marriage 

of Ferdinand and Isabella. 



^labe iWarfect anb Cfjarlotte Street 

The "slave market," on Charlotte street, at the plaza, was built 
about 1840 for use as a public market. The only connection this 
market has with slaves is the fact that a few runaways were sold there 
in order to raise money to send the rest of the escaped ones back to 
Fernandina whence they came. 

The name "slave market," however, was given it by an enter- 
prising photographer to make his picture sell more readily. 

The artesian well in the market is one of many in St. Augustine. 

Charlotte street is another of the old and narrow streets with 
the Spanish style of overhanging balconies and old coquina houses. 

11 




The old Fatio building on this street, a short distance south of the 
plaza, is one of the old buildings of the city and was formerly used 
for a hotel. 

There are several other old houses on this street. 



0lti ^panifii) ^bminisitration ^mlhirxQ 

The present postoffice building was the administration build- 
ing under Spanish rule and the residence of the governor. In those 
days it was called "The Palace." This is without doubt the oldest 
postoffice building Uncle Sam has. 

The building also contains the offices of the customs department 
and the board of trade rooms. 

The architecture is unique and of the style of the seventeenth 
century with outside balconies, supported by stout pillars, the entire 
length of the north and south sides. The material used in its con- 
struction is coquina and concrete and the building is in an excellent 
state of preservation. It once had a tower seventy feet high. 

12 



®f)e i^arrotoegt Street 



One of the princi- 
pal points of interest 
in the Ancient City 
— Treasury street, 
running from Bay to 
Cordova street, one 
block north of the 
postoffice — was de- 
stroyed by the big fire 
in April, 1914. At the 
east end, which was 
all there was of this 
street at first, it was 
only about seven feet 
wide. This was the 
narrowest street in 
the United States, It 
was named from the 
fact that the building 
on the south side of 
the intersection with 
St. George Street was 
the Spanish treasury. 
This building had 
been remodeled and 
changed, and the 
high walls that sur- 
rounded the court- 
yard were converted 
into walls of buildings. 

B>t. ^ugugtine Catfjcbral 

Since the first mass which was said in 1565, near what is now 
the north end of Water street, the Roman Catholic church has had 
regular services in St. Augustine, with but very few interruptions. 
The Cathedral was almost five years in building (1793-1797) and is 
said to have cost over sixteen thousand five hundred dollars. 

13 




The belfry is of Moorish type and contains a chime of four bells, 
the smallest and oldest being above and the others in a horizontal 
line below. The smallest bell is probably the oldest bell in this country 
and bears the inscription, "Sancte Joseph, Oro pro Nobis, D. 1689." 

The old part of the Cathedral is but very little changed from 
its original form. After a fire in 1887, which gutted the building, 
it was repaired and some slight changes to the interior were made, 
but the walls are the original. 

The new part, added on to the west side of the old, is of com- 
paratively recent construction, and contains the clock, bell, baptis- 
mal fount, and a sun dial; also the entrance to the choir balcony. 

The Cathedral has a seating capacity of about fifteen hundred 
to two thousand, and the interior is richly finished, the altars being 
of fine Carrara marble and very costly. The organ is one of the 
finest and the music of the Cathedral choir is of the best, and much 
appreciated by both residents and visitors. 

The bishop of the diocese of Florida makes St. Augustine his 
headquarters and lives in the rectory of the Cathedral at the corner 
of St. George street and Cathedral place. 

Tourists are advised to insist that drivers and chauffeurs take 
them to the places the tourists wish to visit, instead of allowing them- 
selves to be taken to the places most convenient to the drivers. 

^la^a tie la Consititufion 

In the very heart of the city is the Plaza, a beautiful bit of green 
sward, where tourists and citizens alike gather to read and sew and 
chat and enjoy the breezes from off the bay. The Plaza is one of 
the characteristics of Spanish towns. 

There are two monuments in the Plaza, the older one being 
the Spanish monument. This monument, as the plate on it reads, 
was erected in 1812, in commemoration of the Spanish Constitution. 
The tablet is inscribed in Spanish. It may be thus translated: 
"Plaza of the Constitution. Proclaimed in this city of St. Augus- 
tine, East Florida, on the 15th day of October, 1812, Brigadier Don 
Sebastian Kindalam, Knight of the Order of San Diego, being then 
Governor. For eternal remembrance, the Constitution City Council 
erected this obelisk, under the supervision of Don Fernando de la 
Maza Arredondo, the young municipal officer, oldest member of the 

14 



Corporation, and Don Francisco Robria, Attorney and Recorder." 
It was at one time ordered destroyed but the order was never en- 
forced. 

The second monument is east of the alligator pool and was erect- 
ed by the Ladies' Memorial Society in memory of those who gave 
their lives in the Civil W ar. This monument dates from 1880. 

On the Picolata road, at the seven mile post from St. x\ugus- 
tine, occurred^during^the^Indian wars the capture and the killing 




of a troupe of theatrical players on their way to St. Augustine. All 
the paraphernalia was captured by the Indians and afterwards worn 
by them. 

0lti ^panigf) Mi^^ion iSuiltiins 

The Old Spanish Mission Building, corner of St. Francis and 
Marine streets, St. Augustine, is without doubt the oldest building 
in America, the records of which are preserved in the archives of the 
Church at Rome, 

15 



It was erected by the monks of St. Francis, who came to St. 
Augustine with Menendez, and used by them as a chapel until 1590, 
when they moved into their large monastery, the south wing of which 
was then completed. 

Up to 1586 this was the only coquina building in St. Augustine, 
and it was the only one that escaped total destruction when Sir 
Francis Drake made his raid on the city on May 8th of that year. 




About 1600 it passed into the hands of a Spanish Deputy, the 
title remaining with his descendants until 1763, when it was taken 
over by John Hudson, an EngUshman, and retained by him until 
Florida was re-ceded to Spain in 1783. It was then purchased by 
a member of the Alvarez family and held by them until 1883, Since 
then it has been used as a museum. 

(Blh Jfrancisican i$lonasfterj> 

The old monastery building on South Marine street is probably 
one of the oldest on this continent. We have records of the estab- 

16 



lishment of a Franciscan monastery prior to 1586, as Sir Francis 
Drake, in the report of his attack on St. Augustine, speaks of this 
monastery. Old maps also show this building and the old house 
across St. Francis street, which was used by the monks as a chapel 
before the monastery was built. 

This old building was used as a monastery and convent during 
the entire reign of the Spanish, but when Florida was acquired by 
the English in 1763, these buildings were converted into a barracks. 




after the old barracks further south had been burned, and St. Au- 
gustine was made a base of supplies and was one of the most impor- 
tant points in the English possessions in the New World. 

Historians fail to give any good record of this building during 
the second Spanish occupancy, but upon the acquisition of Florida 
by the United States it was in use as a barracks by the Spanish and 
the United States government retained possession of it, and for many 
years it was used by the War Department as a base of supplies and 
military station. 

17 



Its use by the federal government was discontinued several 
years ago, however, and it was unoccupied for some time. Recent- 
ly it was turned over to the State of Florida to be used as the arsenal 
for the Florida National Guard, and while it was greatly damaged by 
fire in December, 1915, it contains the offices of the Adjutant General of 
the State, and other staff officers, and the supplies for the State militia. 




^Ica^ar, (Kfjeatresf anb Casfino 

Old St. Augustine is quite modern when it comes to providing 
amusements and entertainments for its visitors and residents. 

The Jefferson Theatre, at the corner of Cathedral Place and 
Cordova street, under the efficient management of Mr. A. R. Lynch, is 
a high-class motion picture house and also plays road attractions and 
vaudeville during the winter season. It is one of the coziest and 
most artistically decorated theatres in the South. 

18 



The Orpheum Theatre is another motion picture house of the 
highest order, and has brought the showing of motion pictures to 
a place in the city's list of pleasures distinctly its own. 

The Casino is an annex of the Hotel Alcazar and has one of the 
finest naturally heated swimming pools to be found anywhere. The 
regular Saturday night "hops" are a source of great pleasure to the 
hundreds who attend them. 

The Casino is annually the scene of many delightful social 
affairs, balls and amateur theatrical productions. 




^t. ^ugusitine Sn^titute of Science anb l^isftorical ^ocietp 
anil Charlotte Street 

(By DeWitt Webb, for the Post Card Guide) 

The St. Augustine Institute of Science and Historical Society 
lost its home on Charlotte street, near Treasury, during the Apry(1914) 
fire, and is now located in Fort Marion. 

This society was founded in 1884 and the scope of its work, as its 
name indicates, covers a wide field, and its object has been to pur- 

19 



sue a line of scientific and historical research and its museum collec- 
tion aims to cover the geology of Florida, its prehistoric remains and 
its Indian relics, and its library to cover the history of Florida and to 
afford to students at first hand the material for the studies of its 
earlier as well as its later history. 

This geological collection covers the rocks and the fossils of 
Florida, the remains of the mammoth and the mastodon, from the 
phosphate beds, as well as from the pleistocene. 

Its collection of minerals was large and valuable and not con- 
fined to the findings in Florida. Its collection of prehistoric remains 



^^-^•^^N 




St. George Street 

was large and was from the shell heaps of Florida, many of which 
were without doubt several thousand years old. The implements of 
these early dwellers of Florida show that primitive man, without 
even stone to aid him, made his implements of war and of peace of 
the shell found along the coast. 

20 



One of the most interesting studies in the collection was the growth 
of design as shown in the rude pottery found in the shell mounds. 
The implements found in the Indian mounds of the later day show 
in their numerous celt and stone axes how widespread was the inter- 
course of commerce of the early days, for these stone implements 
must have been brought hundreds of miles. 

The historical collection, very rich in its maps and engravings 
of early Florida and those who took part in its development, suffered 
hea\^ loss in the x\pril (1914) fire. They adorned the walls of the elegant 
parlor of the Sanchez and Hernandez mansion, the home of the society 
pre\aous to being destroyed by the great fire. 

The natural history collection, which covers the fish, the animals 
and the birds of Florida, was the collection of Dr. Vedder, and was 
purchased by the society several years ago and added to its collec- 
tion. The collection of antiques included some things loaned to the 
society, but in the main they were the property of the society. 

Among the most interesting of the articles loaned was a complete 
suit of armor of the twelfth century knight with two immense double- 
handed swords. The workmanship of this armor was exquisite and 
represented the age of the finest armor, as well as the most famous 
place from which armor and weapons of that day came, coming from 
Toledo, Spain. 

joints; of W^toxital Snteresft 3n anb iSear ^t. ^uqusitint 

The two buildings that can be said to go back to the very early 
days of St. Augustine are, without doubt, the government building, 
now used as a postoffice and custom house and the barracks, origi- 
nally the San Franciscan convent. These buildings are the only 
ones shown that can be identified on the map now in possession of 
the Historical Society and which is a copy of one made in 1675 and 
which map, by the way, is the only copy in the United States. 

Of the houses of coquina, of which there are many remaining, 
it is hard to fix an exact date of their erection. An original map of 
DeBarres, made in 1778, the original of which is in the Historical 
Society's museum, purports to show every house in the city at that 

21 



time, the stone houses as well as those of wood. Many of these 
houses are still remaining. 

Fort Marion, the center of attraction, is undoubtedly on the 
site of the fortification begun by Menendez on the day of his land- 
ing, for he began his earthworks at once in the center of the square 
of the Indian village by the permission of the Cacique. Two days 
later he went north to what is now the end of Water street and on 
the grounds now owned by Fred S, Allen celebrated the first mass, 
where afterward was erected a chapel for the use of the Indians and 




named "Nombre de Dios." If an old chronicle is correct, an earlier 
mass was said at a point near the center of the present fort reserva- 
tion by Ponce de Leon. 

The early map of 1675 in possession of the Historical Society 
shows seventeen Indian chapels in the vicinity of St. Augustine, 
devoted to the services of the Christianized Indians. One of these 
is on the site of the old Mortuary Chapel in the old Catholic ceme- 

22 



tery on Corodova street, another was in the limits of the old Catholic 
cemetery at the foot of Ocean street. To both these chapels tradi- 
tion attaches the tragedy of an Indian chief, angered at reproof, slay- 
ing the priests at the altar. 

The moat, now filled up and occupied by the public school build- 
ing and playgrounds of the children, extended from the fort to the 
San Sebastian river. The gate was the boundary of the city as 
originally laid out on the north and extended to Cordova street on 
the west and along the east side of Maria Sanchez creek to what is 
now South street and eastward to the bay. All this is shown on 
the old maps and engravings in the possession of the Historical 
Society. 

What was the Indian trail which Menendez followed in his 
march to the assault and destruction of Fort Caroline in the teeth 
of that September gale became the highway to the St. Johns river 
and along its line two miles above the city was established Fort 
Moosa and twenty miles above that was Fort Diego. 

Another line of earthworks for additional protection ran from 
the west along what is now Rohde avenue to the head of the little 
bay at the head of Pine street, and another line of earthworks from 
what is now the Vedder place on the San Sebastian to Fort Moosa. 

Near what is now the ice factory was a ford across the San Se- 
bastian by which the people came and went toward the west. 

About 1580 the discovery of the coquina on Anastasia Island 
gave the finders the only solid building material to be obtained. 
The tourist wishing to visit the old quarries which were worked for 
three hundred years must not stop with the open quarries which he 
sees near the lighthouse but must go further down the island, fol- 
lowing the old quarry road, continuing southward, leaving the road 
which goes over to South Beach, and he will find himself richly re- 
warded by visiting and climbing over and into these old quarries 
from which the stone was brought to build the fort and all the older 
houses of the city. At the head of Young's creek may still be seen 
the landing with its rusty chain from which the coquina was brought 
in lighters to the city. This quarry road is altogether one of the 
most interesting drives in the vicinity of St. Augustine and may 
be followed several miles down the center of Anastasia island. 

23 



palatial ^otdi 

It has been the aim of architects and builders to emphasize the 
Spanish character of St. Augustine. When it is remembered how 
closely linked is Spain and the Spaniards with the early history of 
the Ancient City it is ohly natural that fitting memorials be erected 
to the rule of old Madrid. The natural conditions, too, are the 
same. St. Augustine's sky is as delicately blue, its sunlight as bril- 




liant, and its moon as rich and luminous as where blow the balmy 
breezes of the Mediterranean. 

Spanish dignity and grandeur is reflected in the architecture of 
the beautiful Ponce de Leon Hotel, world-famous for its beauty of 
design and its artistic and expensive interior decorations. This hotel 
was built in 1885-87 of coquina and concrete. The broad stairway 
leading to the dining hall is of marble and Mexican onyx. In the 
grand parlor the decorations are of ivory and gold, with frescoes by 
Tojetti of Cupids and garlands. Throughout the magnificent build- 

24 



ing are found decorations symbolic of early St. Augustine — the stags' 
head, the sacred emblem of the Indian village of Seloy on the site 
on which this hotel stands; the lion's masque, an emblem of the 
doughty Juan Ponce de Leon; mermaids, shells, dolphins, and other 
marine devices, emblematic of the sea; and the Spanish coat of arms. 

Across King street is the Alcazar, which is hardly less elegant 
than the Ponce de Leon. The gardens and court of the Alcazar are 
magnificent. Connected with these hotels is the Cordova, consider- 
ed by many to be one of the most beautiful of permanent buildings. 
All these are under the control of the Florida East Coast Hotel Com- 
pany. 

Numerous other hotels of the very best class give St. Augustine 
special prominence and prestige with visitors. All of them have the 
welfare of the city and future business in mind, and nothing is left 
undone to make the visitors feel at home. The St. George, Mag- 
nolia, Buckingham, Granada, Barcelona, Keystone, Valencia, 
Chautauqua and Kenwood are among the well known winter 
hotels, while the Monson, Bennett, Marion, Ocean View, Spear 
Mansion and several others remain open all the year. 

Z\)t 0Vii Cemeteries; 

The oldest cemetery is the one on Cordova street, near Orange. 
As the old Spanish settlers were not much given to using dates on 
their gravestones it is impossible to determine the date this cemetery 
went into use. In all probability it dates from the founding of the 
city as the old chapel, it is authoritatively stated, stands on the 
foundation of one of the old Indian chapels. 

Another old Catholic cemetery which dates from the Spanish 
occupancy is at the foot of Ocean street. Here also was an old 
chapel. 

The Protestant cemetery just north of the City Gates is also an 
old one, as is shown by the dates on the grave markers. 

The National Military Cemetery is on Marine street, south of 
the Barracks. The three low pyramids here form the tombs of the 
victims of the Seminole War. 

25 



interesting ^i^itovknl ^potsi 

Near St. Augusliue, on the south l)aiik of the Moultrie creek, 
opposite what is now known as Moultrie Point, was a fort known as 
the Little Fort, erected as an outpost against Indian attacks. 

Near St. Augustine, on a part of Anastasia Island, is what is 
known as Fish's Island, formerl^^ the residence of Jesse Fish, whose 
ruined tomb is still to be seen. 




On the old King's road, a few miles from St. Augustine, are three 
very interesting historical spots. The first, about five miles from 
St. Augustine, was the scene of the first Indian treaty of 1823, look- 
ing to the removal of the Indians in the western part of Florida to- 
ward the south. At this conference more than seventy chiefs were 
present and it really marked the beginning of Indian troubles in 
Florida. Crossing Moultrie Creek, about a mile farther south, is the 
site of Fort Peyton, on a little hill now occupied by a farmhouse. 

26 



This was the site of an important fort during all the Indian wars. 
Nearly a mile farther along this road is the place where Osceola was 
captured under a flag of truce on the 26th of October, 1837. This 
is said to be one of only two instances in which the protection of the 
flag of truce was violated by the American army. The place is 
marked by a board stretching from one tree to another and was 
located by the Historical Society under the direction of one of the 
men prominent in his capture — Mr. John Masters. Its nearness to St. 
Augustine (only seven miles) renders it easy of access to any tourist. 
Historic spots outside the city now marked by the Historical 
Society by concrete monuments with suitable inscriptions are : Place of 
the treaty of Moultrie with the Indians, August, 1823, five and one- 
half miles from St, Augustine, on the old King's Road ; site of Fort 
Peyton; place of the capture of Osceola, October 26th, 1837, while 
under the protection of a flag of truce ; site of Fort Moosa, two and 
one-half miles north of St. Augustine ; place near the seven-mile 
post on the Picolata road, where a theatrical company were killed 
by Indians, May 23, 1840, and place of the massacre of Ribault and his 
men by Menendez, September, 1565. 

^t Augustine's; iSirtfjtiap Celebrations; 

St. Augustine annually celebrates the anniversary of the land- 
ing of Ponce de Leon. In April of the years 1907-8-9-10-12, a repro- 
duction of the landing of Ponce de Leon and the founding of the city 
by Menendez was carried out, several hundred of the citizens partici- 
pating in the spectacular pageants. These affairs have been com- 
mented upon favorably by all and would have been a credit to any 
city many times the size of St. x\ugustine. 

Lately, however, the event has been commemorated by the hold- 
ing of speed boat races on the course of the St. Augustine Power 
Boat Club, which have proven eminently successful, as it is a hard 
matter to find a better speed boat course. 

The races attract the fastest boats on the Atlantic seaboard and 
also bring many handsome yachts to the city. The races have been 
greatly enjoyed in the past few years. 

Anas;tas;ia 3(s;lanb 

One of the favorite haunts of the tourist is Anastasia Island. 
Many of the most prominent points of interest about the city are on 

27 



the island, which is reached by bridge across the Matanzas, either 

by trolley or carriage. 

At the end of the little wood at the north end of the island may 

be seen the remains of the earthworks thrown up by General Ogle- 
thorpe in his siege of 
St. Augustine in 1740. 
The jetties were 
built by the United 
States government in 
an attempt to improve 
the entrance to the 
harbor. This is one 
of the best fishing 
grounds on the Flor- 
ida coast. 

To the south of the 
jetties may be seen a 
pile of rocks, all that 
remains of the old 
lighthouse which was 
built by the Spanish 
before the British oc- 
cupancy. This light 
was one of the first in 
the new world and was 
about thirty feet high. 
The old lighthouse, 
standing not far from 
the present wireless 
station, was finally car- 
ried away by the ero- 
sion of the coast which 
has been going on for 
so many years, which 
may be studied by 

consulting DeBarres' map, in the possession of the Historical Society. 
The present light, erected by the United States government, 

classed as a first order light, is one hundred and sixty-five feet 

high. It is open to visitors daily and the view from the tower is 

28 




equaled by few in the United States. Near the lighthouse is the gov- 
ernment wireless station, which is also an interesting place to visit. 

About four miles south of the Anastasia Light is South Beach, 
which is a typical Florida beach of pure, hard white sand, eighteen 
miles in length and averaging one hundred yards in width. 

x\t South Beach is also the alligator farm, burning spring, and 
museum of marine curiosities. 

It is also on the island that the coquina quarries are found. 

The delightful drives and scenic beauty of Anastasia make it one 
of the most popular places on the East Coast for auto parties, fishing, 
riding and driving, as the roads are excellent. 

Many residents have cottages on the island where they spend the 
summer months, enjoying the cool breezes, bathing and fishing. The 
fine hard beach also affords an excellent place for holding automobile, 
bicycle, horse and foot races and is always a scene of gaiety on holidays. 

A battery was erected by Oglethorpe in his famous siege of St. 
Augustine in 1740 at North Beach. This is scarcely traceable now. 
It is shown in old maps. 




29 



Cije ^fountain of goutfj 

A great curiosity of St. Augustine is "The Fountain of Youth." 
It has, however, lost its power to preserve youth for him who drinks 
of its waters. It has one pecuHarity distinguishing it from other 
wells in that the water rises and falls without any apparent reason 
or cause. In the vicinity of this "fountain" is a large coquina cross 
which was located by the discovery of a silver casque which con- 
tained an affidavit of the sealing of the image and placing it in a 
cross, which was built as a monument by the discoverer in 1513. 

The proprietor of this property, which is on Myrtle avenue, tells 
us that through courtesy the Governor of Se villa in 1908 instructed 
those in charge of the Archivo General de Indias and Columbus Li- 
brary to search the vaults and give to the United States the authentic 
history to be found regarding the landing of the great Adelantado 
Ponce de Leon. Among many interesting documents one has especial 
importance as fixing the time of Ponce de Leon's first visit to the 
shores of Florida. It is as follows: 

"As we bore down upon him we found him to be an Indian in 
a skin boat with skin sail running to a point twenty feet in the air, 
with a bow at the top. In the boat, which I describe in my descrip- 
tive image, I went ashore with the Indian. We landed near a spring 
that they called the Fountain of Youth; there they had a temple 
built where they worshipped the sun, and there I built a cross out 
of coquina, which is a natural formation of the sea, and laid it with 
the rising and setting sun. In the heart of the cross I placed a de- 
scriptive 'image' of myself and took possession in the name of our 
beloved Catholic king." 

^fje Protejitant CturcJjes; 

Trinity Episcopal church, at the corner of St. George and King 
streets, was built in 1825. This building has been somewhat remod- 
eled and enlarged since the date of its building, but the King street 
entrance is today as it was originally. 

In 1830 the Presbyterians built an edifice on South St. George 
street which was in 1890 displaced by the beautiful Memorial build- 
ing on Valencia street. This church is one of the finest pieces of 
architecture to be found in the South. The material used is coquina- 
concrete. The Flagler mausoleum is at the west side. 

30 



The Baptist church was dedicated in 1896. This building is at the 
corner of Sevilla and Carrera streets and is constructed of pressed brick. 

Grace M. E. Church, at the corner of Cordova and Carrera 
streets, was organized in 1882. A few years later (1886), the present 
concrete-coquina building was erected. 

The Southern Methodists have built a beautiful pressed brick 
edifice at the corner of King and Ribera streets. 




Public ^uilbings; 

The City Building is located on Hypolita street, between St. 
George and Spanish streets. In this building are located the offices 
of the city government and the fire department. On the St. George 
street side are some of the best business rooms in the city. On the 
second and third floors on the St. George street side are also some 
office rooms. The building was erected in 1875 and forms a part of 
modern St. Augustine. 

31 



The fire department is at the corner of HypoHta and Spanish 
streets and is one of the most up-to-date and efficient fire fighting 
organizations in the State. 

The Court House, a modern building in the Moorish style of archi- 
tecture, located at the corner of Charlotte and Treasury streets, was 
burned in the April (1914) fire, but was rebuilt in 1917. 

The Fraternal Building is on Charlotte street, near the court house. 
The various Masonic lodges, Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows, and 
other fraternal organizations hold their meetings in this building. 




The Public Library is located on Hospital street. It is one of 
the old Spanish arch buildings. It has always been used as a resi- 
dence and was formerly the home of Judge Isaac Smith, the father 
of General Kirby Smith. 

In 1895 J. M. and Frances Wilson, of Framingham, Massa- 
chusetts, bought the property and presented it to the city for library 
purposes. It contains a library of about five thousand volumes. 

The Public School Building is on Orange street. This mag- 
nificent building was completed in 1910 at a cost of seventy-five 



thousand dollars and is one of the finest in the State. It is designed 
especially for light and convenience. Besides the class rooms, it con- 
tains a large auditorium for school exercises and offices for the super- 
intendent and principal. 

The State School for the Deaf and Blind is located just north 
of the city limits. The building is new and one of the finest of its 
kind in the South. It is well worth a visit. 

Clje ^ea MaW ant> ^a^ 

The city being only about eight feet above sea level, it was early 
recognized that some protection was necessary against storm tides 




and encroachments by the water. Before the close of the seven- 
teenth century a sea wall was built by King Philip IV, about two 
thousand dollars being appropriated for that purpose. The wall was 
built of coquina and extended from the fort to a point opposite the 
plaza. This wall was not nearly so strong as the present one nor as high. 

33 



The present wall (built 1835-1837), of coquina capped with 
New England granite, is three-fourths of a mile long and extends 
from the fort to the barracks, or what is now the arsenal of the Florida 
National Guard. As built originally there was a recess in the wall, 
called the "basin," which took in what is now part of the Plaza (be- 
tween Cathedral place, Charlotte and King streets) and formed a 
landing place for small boats. This "basin" was later filled and the 
wall straightened to its present line. 

During a fire, which destroyed part of the bay front about opposite 
the Power Boat Club, the intense heat cracted the granite capping. 




Tropical Home in St. Atigustine 

Matanzas Bay, which is really a strait, having a second outlet at 
Summer Haven, is one of the finest bodies of land-locked water on 
the coast, being navigable for large boats its entire length, about forty 
miles, including North River, and boats of good size, since the open- 
ing of the canal, find no trouble between Jacksonville and the Florida 
keys. There are no better fishing grounds anywhere than the waters 

34 



in and about the Ancient City, and the bay affords the greatest of 
sport to thousands of boating parties. 

Jfort iWatan^ag anli Summer l^aben 

Near Summer Haven inlet stands a silent memorial of Spanish 
power — the ruins of old Fort Matanzas. This fortification was built 
in 1741. Its name, Matanzas, is Spanish for "slaughter," and com- 




Ruins of Fort Matanzas 

memorates a massacre of the French at this point in 1565, an event 
connected with the turbulent days of the founding of St. Augustine 
by Pedro Menendez. Fort Matanzas is about fifteen miles south of 
the city on the west bank of the bay and is cracked and falling with 
age, but still faithfully keeps silent watch on Matanzas inlet, long 
since become too shallow for navigation. 



35 



Summer Haven, a couple of miles south of the old fort, is a de- 
lightful little hamlet nestling on a coquina beach, and an ideal picnic 
and fishing ground. 

The links of the Country Club are at the south of the town, on 
a point between the San Sebastian and Matanzas rivers. This is a 
favorite place with many of the most enthusiastic golfers and is one 
of the most picturesque spots in the vicinity. 




Golf Links in the Distance 

Other outdoor pastimes are boating, fishing, driving and riding. 
The wild, moss-draped beauty of the hard-surfaced drives about St. 
Augustine are beyond comparison. Across the bridge, on Anastasia 
Island, to Lewis' Point, to Moultrie, the Horn road, Lewis' speed- 
way and others are the sources of great pleasure to the motorist, 
cyclist or horseman. 

36 



The mild climate and almost continuous sunshine of St. Augus- 
tine make all outdoor pastimes great favorites. 

The links of the St. Augustine Golf Club are on San Marco 
avenue just north of the city gates. The club house is a center of 
social gaieties during the season. This club also uses the fort green 
as part of their course which, together with the links on the west 
side of San Marco, forms one of the finest of courses. And then, 
too, it is not every place where one can golf in mid-winter and among 
the historical surroundings found in St. Augustine — not every place 
where the golfer can rest on the battlements of a fortress centuries old. 

The new $100,000 eighteen hole golf course, immediately north of 
the city, has just been completed and ranks with the finest in America. 
Handsome club buildings have been erected and tennis courts and cro- 
quet grounds have been laid out and are now ready for use. 

^t. ^ugusftine gacfjt Club 

The St. Augustine Yacht Club is located on the bay, near the 
foot of Cathedral street. The membership is composed of repre- 
sentative citizens and visitors. During the winter season it is the 
scene of many social events and is one of the city's foremost organi- 
zations. 

Visiting boatmen find here the real "glad hand and open door," 
and a comfortable lounging place. The club's dock extends to deep 
water and affords accommodations for the largest boats. This dock 
is also used for the judges' stand in the boat races. 

The club house was originally built and for many years used as 
a bath house, but when remodeled made a perfectlj^ appointed club 
house, and was used as an auditorium frequently by different conven- 
tions. 



37 



Smportant Bates; in ^t. augustine's; llisitorp 

1513 — March 27, Florida discovered by Ponce de Leon. 

1513— April 3, Ponce de Leon landed at St. Augustine for the first time. 

1521 — Ponce de Leon visits Florida the second time. 

1564— Huguenot settlement of Florida under Ribault and Laudonnier begun. 

1565— September 6, St. Augustine settled and fortifications begun by Menen- 

dez. First mass said two days later, September 8. 
1565— September 19, capture of French fort on St. Johns river by Menendez. 
1565— September, wreck of Ribault's fleet, south of Matanzas inlet. 
1565 — September, massacre of shipwrecked French by Menendez near 

Matanzas. 
1566 — The Indians under Saturvia wage war on the Spaniards. 
1568 — De Gourges landed in Florida and revenged the French massacre, 

capturing Spanish fort. 
1574 — Death of Menendez. 

1580 — Coquina discovered on Anastasia by the Spanish. 
1580-83 — Spanish attempt at Christianization of the Indians. 
1583 — Convent of St. Francisco founded in St. Augustine. 
1586 — May 8, Sir Francis Drake attacked St. Augustine. 
1599 — Convent of St. Francisco burned. 

1611 — Indians pillage St. Augustine and kill priests and destroy property. 
1638-40 — Apalache Indians captured and sent to St. Augustine to work on 

the fortifications. 
1665 — Attack on St. Augustine by Captain Davis, a buccaneer. 
1690 — Commencement of the first sea wall by the Spanish government. 
1702— Governor Moore of Carolina invaded Florida and attacked St. Augus- 
tine. 
1704 — Governor Moore invaded Florida a second time. 
1725 — Colonel Palmer invaded Florida. 

1740 — General Oglethorpe attacked St. Augustine and besieged the fort. 
1740 — First record of snow in St. Augustine. 

1740-43 — Fort Matanzas built as a protection against attacks from the south. 
i755 — Don Alonzo Fernandez de Herrera appointed Governor of Florida. 
1756 — Completion of Fort Marion. 
1763 — Florida ceded to England. 

1767 — Nicholas Turnbull brought Minorcans to Florida (near New Smyrna). 
1769 — Minorcan insurrection against injustice of Turnbull. 
1776 — Minorcans freed by courts in St. Augustine from contract with 

Turnbull. 
1777 — Expedition of General Provost from St. Augustine against Savannah. 

38 



1778 — Colonial patriots brought from Charleston and Imprisoned in the fort 

by the British. 
1783 — Florida re-ceded to Spain by Great Britain. 
1793-97— St. Augustine Cathedral built. 

1812 — Monument to Spanish Constitution erected in the Plaza. 
1818 — General Jackson invaded Florida. 
1821 — July 12, Stars and Stripes raised over Fort Marion, Florida having 

been bought from Spain. 
1823 — Territorial Legislature met at St. Augustine. 
1825 — Episcopal Church built. 
1830 — First Presbyterian Church built. 
1833 — Protestant Episcopal Church consecrated. 
1835-42— Seminole War. 

1836 — Escape of the Indian chiefs, Coacoochee and Hadjo, from Fort Marion. 
1840 — Methodist Chapel built in St. Augustine. 

1861 — Fort Marion seized by Florida troops at commencement of Civil War. 
1862 — Fort Marion occupied by Commander Rodgers, U. S. N. 
1872 — Confederate Monument placed in Plaza. 
1875 — Indian prisoners of the United States Government confined in Fort 

Marion. 
1886 — Apache Indians confined in Fort Marion. 
1885-87 — Ponce de Leon Hotel built. 
1886— Methodist Church built. 
1887 — Cathedral burned. 
1888— Cathedral rebuilt. 
1890 — Presbyterian Church built. 
1895— Baptist Church built. 
1894-95— Big freeze, December (1894), February (1895), the mercury going 

to 11 degrees. 
1897 — Light snow in St. Augustine, the second time in history. 
1898-1900 — Prisoners of Spanish-American war confined in Fort Marion. 
1905 — October 21, President Roosevelt delivered speech from landing of the 

stairway in Fort Marion. 
1905 — Remains of Volunteers of Spanish-American War interred in Military 

Cemetery on South Marine street. 
1906— Flagler Mausoleum built at the west side of Memorial Presbyterian 

Church. 
1906 — Young Men's Christian Association, Railway branch, built. 
1907-8-9-10-13— Celebrations in honor of Ponce de Leon's landing. 
1918 — Ground covered with blanket of snow. 



Headquarters for the Post Card Guide and all other St. Augustine Souvenirs 
and Novelties at H. J. Usina's, corner St. George St. and Cathedral Place, 
St. Augustine, Fla. 

39 



672 



fe" 



<TiA 




"it !'*?»«« 



C/ 



^ o 




ptfidruVa 



> 



Send a copy of the Post Card Guide to your friends 
H. J. USINA, Publisher, '"''The Busy Corner" Saint Augustine 




ALLIGATOR FARM, SOUTH BEACH 




OLD CITY 

GATES, 

SAINT 

AUGUSTINE, 

FLORIDA 



Built 1743. consist, 
ing of two square 
pillars of coquina 
rock, 20 feet in 
height, 10 feet thick, 
walls are 30 feet in 
length and 10 feet 
thick, spacebetween 
pillars is 12 feet, and 
were protected with 
heavy iron-bound 
gates, and the ap- 
proach was by way 
of a drawbridge over 
the moat or ditch. 




OLDEST 
HOUSE IN 
THE UNITED 
STATES 



Old Spanish Mission 
Building, corner of 
Francis and Marine 
Streets, is without 
doubt the oldest 
building in Amer- 
ica. It was erected 
by the Monks of St. 
Francis who came 
to St. Augustine 
with Menendez and 
used by them as a 
Chapel until 1590. 



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BIRD'S-EYE 
VIEW OF 
FORT MARION. 
SAINT 

AUGUSTINE, 
FLORIDA 



One of the best pre- 
served of all the 
relics of the Spanish 
occupation is Fort 
Marion — formerly 
Fort San Juan de 
Pinos and San 
Marco. 191 years in 
building — complet- 
ed in 1756. Has 
withstood many at- 
tacks and sieges by 
Indians and whites. 




CHARLOTTE 

STREET, 

SAINT 

AUGUSTINE, 

FLORIDA 



One of St. .\ugus- 
tine's quaint streets 
showing old houses 
of coquina and over- 
hanging balconies. 
Formerly the center 
of business activity. 
Completely de- 
stroyed by the big 
fire of April 2. 1914. 



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LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 



014 541 366 7 



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St. Augustine, 

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